Niagara University: STEM career preparation for children prioritized

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Mon, Aug 8th 2016 11:55 am

Pictured with Dr. Chandra Foote, far left, dean of Niagara University's College of Education, and Daniel Keating, far right, manager of customer and community management for National Grid, are the participants of this year's young women's STEM camp at NU.

NU's 10th year of STEM training for teachers and children

By Niagara University

When the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., was invested as Niagara
University's 26th president, he stated in his inaugural address the
Catholic and Vincentian institution would become an even greater regional
partner by forging a "distinctive role in STEM education, computer science,
logistics and other fields that support the advancement of industry in our
region."

Opening the B. Thomas Golisano Center for Integrated Sciences in
October 2013 was a monumental, $33 million step in that direction for Niagara
University.

Yet, Maher and Niagara administrators are also intent on advancing the
delivery of STEM - science, technology, engineering and mathematics - education
to the youngest members of the community, not only those students already
enrolled at the university.

Their reasoning is two-fold:

•New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Western New York Regional Economic
Development Council have prioritized the development of Buffalo-Niagara's
health and life sciences industry. The university, as part of its educational
and social mission, is more closely aligning its strategic vision with the
priorities of the region.

•Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows employment in
occupations related to STEM is projected to grow to more than 9 million between
2012-22. That's an increase of about 1 million jobs over 2012 employment
levels. President Barack Obama has repeatedly stressed the importance of STEM
education, saying, "Leadership tomorrow
depends on how we educate our students today - especially in science,
technology, engineering and math."

"The future of the economy is in STEM," echoed James Brown, the
executive director of the STEM Education Coalition in Washington, D.C. "That's
where the jobs of tomorrow will be."

For the past decade, Niagara's College of Education has sought to
provide access to quality science, technology, engineering and math education
for children - especially girls and low-income youths, who, studies show,
traditionally enter the STEM fields at the lowest rates. NU also, over the past
10 years, has presented STEM training for teachers and degree candidates,
cementing its status as a leader in the field.

This summer, the college's Institute of Applied Learning upped the ante
even further, offering three separate summer camps intended to engage young
people in the practical application of STEM. The campers participated in
activities related to engineering, coding, robotics and computer-aided design
and drafting, among other applications.

The weeklong camps, sponsored by National Grid, were open to children
ages 5-7, children in grades 3-8, and a young women's camp for girls in grades
6-9. A total of 162 children participated.

"As educators, it has become increasingly important for us to enlighten
young people on the opportunities that exist in today's workforce in science,
technology, engineering and mathematics," Maher said. "The shift toward
globalization and a knowledge-based economy makes these skills pervasive in virtually
every aspect of daily life."

As part of the young women's camp program, the 32 participants heard
from three local businesswomen and an NU chemistry professor on their
experiences with STEM and the diversity of opportunities that a degree in the
field affords.

Jessica Chapman, director of maintenance services at Calspan, talked
about the importance of shadowing and internships. Sonya Pegler, a
manufacturing manager for Saint-Gobain, encouraged the girls to link their STEM
interests with a burgeoning career field.

So how does a young person decide what he or she
really wants to do?

Dr. Robyn Goacher, an assistant professor of chemistry at NU, told the
girls that, when she was in middle school, she found herself setting goals
based upon the opinions of others. As she matured, she realized she was
especially interested in the sciences, at which time she really began to pursueher passion.

"I was accomplishing things, because it was the next thing to do, and I
hadn't really looked inwards to see if that was what I really wanted,"
explained Goacher, who said that about two-thirds of her chemistry students are
female.

"What helped me was that I would find anyone who was doing a job that I
might even remotely find interesting, and ask them why they were doing it," Goacher
said. "Once you find the interest and environment that fits you, you have to
keep directing your efforts to realize those dreams."

Each of Niagara's STEM camps focused specifically on energy and
advanced manufacturing, both in content and in college and career readiness
activities. Emphasis in the young women's camp was also placed on personal
development, etiquette and leadership.

Lisa Montesano, lead environmental engineer for National Grid, advised
the campers against underestimating the importance of these skills, as well as
the value of a liberal arts-based education from a comprehensive institution
like Niagara.

"Being able to communicate, whether that be verbally or written, is
extremely important," she said. "I work with government agencies, industrial
representatives, academics and residential customers. I need to be able to
communicate effectively with many different types of constituents."

In July 2013, National Grid, in partnership with NU and the Niagara
Falls City School District, began providing funding for a graduate-level STEM
and advance manufacturing professional development courses for 45 teachers from
the school district. With that training completed, NU's complementary STEM
summer camps are intended to provide the next generation with the tools and
resources to be prepared for the future job market.

All activities during the camps are aligned to the New York State
Learning, Common Core, College and Career Readiness Standards, and Next
Generation Science standards.

National Grid has also recently renewed its commitment to STEM
education by expanding funding to 15 additional school districts - training an
additional 45 teachers - over the next three years. This year's participating teachers
represented the Niagara-Wheatfield Central School District, North Tonawanda
City School District, Starpoint Central School District and Lockport City
School District.

"Niagara University has done a spectacular job with the STEM program.
National Grid is proud to sponsor these programs," said Dan Keating,
jurisdictional manager for National Grid. "The camp facilitators and speakers
put great smiles on the face of each camper. The campers truly enjoyed their
time learning about the STEM field."

Niagara's College of Education also offers several undergraduate and
graduate programs in early and middle childhood education. To learn more, visitwww.niagara.edu/education.

Founded by the Vincentian community in 1856, NU is a comprehensive
institution, blending the best of a liberal arts and professional education,
grounded in values-based Catholic tradition. Its colleges of Arts and Sciences,
Business Administration, Education and Hospitality and Tourism Management offer
programs at the baccalaureate, master's and doctoral level.

As the first Vincentian university established in the U.S., NU prepares
students for personal and professional success while emphasizing service to the
community in honor of St. Vincent de Paul. Its institutional commitment to
service learning has led to its inclusion on the President's Honor Roll for
Community Service every year since its inception in 2006, and its recognition
with the Carnegie Foundation's Classification for Community Engagement.